Patricia Easton

Executive Vice President and Provost

DegreesPhD, Philosophy, University of Western Ontario, Canada
MA, Philosophy, University of Western Ontario, Canada
BA, Psychology & Philosophy, Glendon College, York University

Research Interests

Philosophy, History of modern philosophy, Philosophy of mind, History of science

Patricia Easton is executive vice president and provost at Claremont Graduate University. As a professor and researcher, she specializes in the history of modern philosophy, particularly the philosophy of Rene Descartes and the Cartesians of the 17th century. Her interests also include the philosophy of mind, the history of science, and the history of philosophy. Easton teaches courses and seminars in early modern philosophy as well as transdisciplinary courses.

Easton received her BA in Psychology and Philosophy from Glendon College, York University, and her MA and PhD in Philosophy from the University of Western Ontario. She has received numerous awards from the Getty Foundation, the CGS/Ford Foundation, and the Mellon Foundation, among others. Easton also directed and edited The Descartes Web Site that features 17th-century French and English editions of Descartes’ The Passions of the Soul.

Easton’s most recent publication, “Louis de la Forge,” is a co-authored chapter in the book Early Modern Medicine and Natural Philosophy (Springer Publishing, 2016). In addition to this recent publication, Easton continues to research the role of mechanization in developments in medicine and psychology in early modern science.

“The Father of Cartesian Empricism: Robert Desgabets on the Physics and Metaphysics of Blood Transfusion.” In Cartesian Empiricisms, edited by M. Dobre and T. Nyden, 185–202. Netherlands: Springer Publishing, 2013.